SANTA FE, NM – Oct. 6, 2021 – Fire managers on the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) are looking for an optimal window between today and Nov. 30 to conduct prescribed burns on East Rowe Mesa and the Las Dispensas treatment area near the Gallinas Watershed on the Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District.  A final decision […]

SANTA FE, NM – Sept. 23, 2021 – The Santa Fe National Forest has experienced higher than normal temperatures and lower than normal precipitation for this time of year, raising concerns about the risk of wildfire well past the historical end of fire season. Fire managers are monitoring fire indices, including fuel moisture levels which […]

SANTA FE, NM – Sept. 13, 2021 – Fire managers on the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) are preparing for the potential resumption of prescribed fire operations before the end of the year to reduce hazardous fuels, improve wildlife habitat, and create healthier, more resilient forest and watershed ecosystems. Although New Mexico and Arizona have […]

This will be the final update on the Gabaldon Fire unless conditions change significantly. Start date: August 11, 2021    Cause: Lightning           Size: .15-acre                             Containment: 100% Location: Northeast of Santa Fe near the Chamisa Trailhead on the Española Ranger District Fuels: Oak, Ponderosa pine, and Piñyon-juniper at approximately 8,500 feet elevation. Resources: One engine Operations: Firefighters […]

August 12, 2021 Start date: August 09, 2021    Cause: Lightning           Size: 2.6 acres                  Containment: 0% Location: Pecos Wilderness, Española Ranger District, Santa Fe National Forest, approximately 8 air miles southeast of Chimayo, NM.  Fuels: Ponderosa pine/Douglas fir at approximately 9,000 feet elevation. Resources: 8 firefighters Operations: Firefighters hiked in and were able to construct […]

SANTA FE, NM – August 12, 2021 – Another new start on the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) was detected yesterday and firefighters have already completed handline around the fire perimeter. The amount of monsoonal moisture received on the SFNF has assisted in keeping wildfires relatively small. Monsoon precipitation has been more abundant this year […]

August 10, 2021 Start date: August 09, 2021    Cause: Lightning           Size: Less than 1-acre                     Containment: 0% Location: Pecos Wilderness, Española Ranger District, Santa Fe National Forest, approximately 8 air miles southeast of Chimayo, NM.   Fuels: Ponderosa pine/Douglas fir at approximately 9,000 feet elevation. Resources: Two engines Strategy: Resources located the fire this afternoon and […]

SANTA FE, NM – July 2, 2021 – The Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) today rescinded the Rincon Fire closure order that restricted access to a portion of the Pecos Wilderness to protect public health and safety during fire operations. The closure order went into effect on June 16.    The restricted area under the […]

SANTA FE, NM – June 29, 2021 – The Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) will lift campfire, welding and smoking restrictions effective 8 a.m. Wednesday, June 30, 2021, based on the apparent early arrival of the seasonal summer monsoons, accompanied by higher relative humidities and lower temperatures which have reduced fire danger across Northern New […]

June 15, 2021 Daily Update Acres: 516 acres Start Date:  June 11, 2021 Cause: Lightning Containment: 0% Total personnel: 113 Location: Pecos Wilderness, Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District, approx. 2 miles east of Hamilton Mesa Fuels: Spruce/fir at 11,000 feet elevation Highlights: The Southwest Area Type 2 Incident Management Team 4, led by Incident Commander Carl […]

Type 2 Incident Management Team Takes Command Tomorrow Date Reported: June 11, 2021     Cause: Lightning     Size: 516 acres     Containment: 0% Location: Pecos Wilderness, Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District, Santa Fe National Forest, approximately 2 miles east of Hamilton Mesa and 6 air miles northwest of the village of Upper Rociada. Fuels: Spruce/fir at 11,000 feet elevation. […]

Date Reported: June 11, 2021     Cause: Lightning     Size: Approximately 200+ acres     Containment: 0% Location: Pecos Wilderness, Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District, Santa Fe National Forest, approximately 2 miles east of Hamilton Mesa and 6 air miles northwest of the village of Upper Rociada. Fuels: Spruce/fir at 11,000 feet elevation. Insect infestation, primarily the spruce beetle, has […]

Forest Insect and Disease Conditions in the Southwestern Region, 2020 Start date: June 11, 2021            Cause: Unknown             Size: Approximately 200+ acres            Containment: 0% Location: Pecos Wilderness, Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District, Santa Fe National Forest, approximately 2 miles east of Hamilton Mesa and 6 air miles northwest of the village of Upper Rociada. Fuels: Spruce/fir at […]